LOS ANGELES — The Rockies have had 13 inside-the-park home runs in club history, but they never had one like this. Before Los Angeles Clippers forward Grant Hill could find his seat after the ceremonial first pitch Wednesday, Eric Young Jr. lined a shot over center fielder Matt Kemp’s head. Kemp chased it to the wall, but failed to corral it. The ball bounced back toward the infield, leaving Young chugging around the bases into the record books.

He’s the first Rockie to hit a leadoff inside-the-parker.

“I wasn’t thinking about it all until I saw (third base coach) Richie (Dauer) waving me home. I was like, ‘We are going to do this,’^” Young said. “Before that I was thinking double, maybe triple or that it might be caught.”

Eric Young Sr. hit an inside-the-park home run for the Rockies off the Cubs’ Dan Plesac on April 23, 1994.

“That’s pretty cool to share this (accomplishment) with my dad,” Young Jr. said.

I am not sure of the complete list of father-son combos to hit inside-the-park HRs, but the Griffeys (Ken and Ken Jr.) Bonds (Bobby and Barry) and Gywnns (Tony and Tony Jr.) did it.

Young had easily his best series as a Rockie. Starting in the corner outfield spots and leading off with Michael Cuddyer on the DL, Young went 8-for-13 with five runs scored and an RBI. He also made a breathtaking catch in left field in the seventh-inning Wednesday to rob Hanley Ramirez of a hit.

HOUSTON — Even Rafael Betancourt is tired of waiting. Opening Day has finally arrived following 33 (or was it 99?) Cactus League Games.

The Rockies began their road schedule where they began last year’s final road trip — in Houston. This is a good matchup.

By any definition, the Astros are going through a difficult transition process, working in younger players while the new owner decides on the direction of the franchise. The Astros will only have two players in the same positions from a year ago. This team is young, and unknown. (No Clint Barmes isn’t here. He signed with Pirates in the offseason.)

Contract status: Free agent. Made $6.1 million last season, triggering a $100,000 incentive clause for 125 games played. The Rockies only paid $1.1 million of Ellis’ salary with Oakland picking up the rest.

What went right: Ellis had long been a target of the Rockies, who have been seemingly searching forever for a longterm answer at second base. They began last season with Jose Lopez, used Jonathan Herrera, acquired Ellis and gave a look to Jordan Pacheco. Ellis was available last season because he didn’t hit well with Oakland. He showed improvement with the Rockies, posting 19 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs in 70 games. Ellis also drew comparisons to Clint Barmes defensively, making all the routine plays. Ellis committed just one error with the Rockies, and three for the entire season.

Chris Nelson is headed back to Colorado Springs, and it’s no secret why.

“You’ve got to hit,” said Rockies manager Jim Tracy. “Especially in a league where the pitcher is one of the hitters. We don’t have that luxury (of carrying a defensive specialist) in the National League. You play a corner spot in this league, you’ve got to bring something to the table offensively.”

So it is that the Rockies, in their latest foray into musical chairs at third base, are taking a look at newly-acquired Kevin Kouzmanoff.

The Rockies had hoped the hard-thrower could morph into an effective reliever. But his inability to command a fastball sabotaged his season and played a critical role in four losses on the team’s last two road trips. The Rockies reached their breaking point Saturday night, designating the Paulino for assignment one night after he gave up a 450-foot walkoff home run to Prince Fielder. Greg Reynolds will join the bullpen tomorrow and be available to start Saturday, according to a source. Reynolds was scratched from this Triple-A assignment.

“(Paulino) just wasn’t getting the job done,” manager Jim Tracy said.

Paulino was 0-4 with a 7.36 ERA. Acquired in the Clint Barmes trade — it was a low-risk roll of the dice since the Rockies were going to non-tender Barmes anyway– the right-hander couldn’t snap out of his funk over the last month. Right-handers torched him, batting .421 in 38 at-bats.

Reynolds can work in long relief if necessary and can start Saturday when the Rockies’ rotation needs a fill-in because of Tuesday’s doubleheader.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Rockies’ front office made a key decision in the offseason. After a season in which they played exceptionally well defensively _ they led the majors with 182 double plays — but missed the playoffs, the team’s decision makers decided to accept a tradeoff.

As in more offense for less defense.

That’s why Ty Wigginton is wearing a Rockies uniform and Clint Barmes isn’t. The Rockies want Wigginton’s bat in the lineup. They’re going to ask him to play around the diamond, and they’ll accept the good with the not-so-good when it comes to his defense.

In a winter that has included $256 million in contracts for free agents and long-term deals for stars Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, pitcher Felipe Paulino has remained safely under the radar. The Rockies acquired him from Houston in exchange for Clint Barmes. Barmes will likely be the Astros’ starting shortstop, his future uncertain Colorado given the plethora of second basemen.

Paulino is a bit of an X-factor as well, but the journey began in earnest today as he avoided arbitration on a one-year, $790,000 deal. That leaves Ian Stewart and Jason Hammel as the Rockies’ remaining arb-eligible players.

Paulino will come to spring training as a starter after prepping in the Dominican Republic with pitchers Esmil Rogers, Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales and Matt Daley. But Paulino could also land in the bullpen as a long reliever if he can’t crack the top five. The Rockies love his arm — he throws in the mid ’90s when healthy. The issue will be whether his arm and shoulder will respond to relief work, something that should be clarified in spring training.

Barmes avoided arbitration with a one-year, $3.925 million contract with the Astros.

The local chapter of Baseball Writers of America announced its award-winners today.

Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who signed a seven-year, $80-million contract last week, was named Player of Year.
Ubaldo Jimenez won Pitcher of the Year. Jhoulys Chacin received Rookie of the Year honors with Clint Barmes the Good Guy winner for his cooperation with the press.

SAN FRANCISCO — Carlos Gonzalez sat at his locker Sunday, explaining his success.

“I am not worried about numbers. I just keep looking to help my team and play the game the right way,” Gonzalez said.

When Gonzalez hits strikes, there are few players in the game on his level. No one was deemed better in the National League last week. Gonzalez won his second Player of the Week award after hitting .545 with four home runs and 11 RBIs from Aug. 23-29.

The 24-year-old led the NL with a 1.364 slugging percentage and his .593 on-base percentage and 30 total bases ranked second best. Gonzalez leads the Rockies in average (.326), home runs (29) and RBIs (90).

Rockies look for relief help

The Rockies are eyeing relievers, hoping to add an extra arm over the next few days. According to a person familar with the team’s thinking, the Rockies are looking for a veteran with experience in late innings. It would likely be a rebound candidate in the Chad Qualls’ mold; a reliever that would slip through waivers, and is looking to rebound.

The Rockies’ bullpen has absorbed a heavy workload in recent weeks, and it appears to be affecting Matt Belisle, the horse of the relief corps.

Footnotes

No word yet on the roster move to activate Clint Barmes. But team officials expect him to rejoin the team today. They could option Johnny Herrera to Colorado Springs and bring him back after the Triple-A season finishes on Sunday.

… Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will have a better read on his leg injury this afternoon. His right groin tightened during Sunday’s victory, leaving him unsure if he could play tonight against the Giants.

… Manuel Corpas is seeking a second opinion on his elbow injury. The possibility remains that he might require surgery.

Add Aaron Cook and Ryan Theriot to the list of players whose names are being bandied about as the industry counts down the days to Saturday’s trading deadline.

The Rockies have made Cook available, according to the New York Post. Meanwhile, Denver Post baseball writer Troy E. Renck reported hours ago that the Rockies are talking to the Cubs about Theriot.

The Rockies also are known to be targeting Florida infielder Jorge Cantu and Toronto reliever Kevin Gregg. But that’s assuming they’ll be buyers on the trading-deadline market. If they follow their 2-9 road trip with a couple of losses to the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates, they could switch course and begin moving players for prospects.

That list could include Cook, Brad Hawpe, Joe Beimel, Clint Barmes and Jorge De La Rosa.

Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd didn’t return a phone call from The Post, but owner Dick Monfort said the team would be willing to add to the payroll if it meant getting the right player.

“Dan and his guys are meeting and they’re going to talk about some different options,’’ said Monfort. “We’ll just have to see. It’s a matter of how much (payroll) and what you’ve got and what you’ve got to give up. It just depends on if it’s the right situation.

“I wouldn’t say we’re going to be real active, but we’re sure going to listen and try. We’ve got some injuries and issues. They’re talking about it and we’ll listen to see what’s out there.’’

Theriot, 30, is an interesting name since he wouldn’t figure to be just a stopgap at second base. He’s a .287 career hitter who has stolen 28, 22 and 21 bases in the past three seasons and is on pace for 26 this year.

Theriot lost in arbitration to the Cubs last winter, settling for $2.6 million instead of the $3.4 he requested. He would be in line to make $4 million-$5 million next season. Which brings us to Barmes, who is in a similar situation.

Barmes’ future as the Rockies’ second baseman is cloudy because of his arbitration-eligible status. He is making $3.35 million this season and could jump to around $5 million next year. It’s highly questionable whether the Rockies would be willing to pay that kind of money for a second baseman.

It comes as no surprise that Cook’s name has hit the rumor mill. He hasn’t pitched well _ 4-6, 4.78 _ and he’s due to make $9.5 million next season, with a mutual option of $11 million, with a $500,000 buyout, in 2012.

Cook said moments ago that neither he nor his agent had heard anything on the trade front. An interesting clause in his contract that could prove to be too big an obstacle to overcome: If Cook is traded, his contract goes up $1 million per season.

Jim Tracy is Midwest through and through. Kind, honest, hard-working, diligent. It’s one of the reasons he loves players such as Clint Barmes.

Now, Tracy is getting an honor worthy of the heartland.

Tracy’s hometown of Hamilton, Ohio, is naming a street after him. The City Council in Hamilton, a town near Cincinnati in southwest Ohio, will vote Wednesday on the resolution. The plan is to dedicate “Jim Tracy Way” — a park road — with the manager in attendance on Thursday. The Rockies begin a three-game series with the Reds on Friday.

The 54-year-old graduate of Hamilton Badin High School was a star football and baseball player.

Tracy and Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook, also a Hamilton native, were honored last year during
“Hamilton Night” at a Reds’ game.

Tracy was the 2009 National League manager of the year after leading the Rockies from the cellar to the playoffs.

According to the Hamilton Journal News, city officials say Tracy has not only been a success story, but he also has shown admirable character and continues to support his hometown. The resolution The resolution praises Tracy for bringing “positive notoriety and acclaim” to his hometown.

WASHINGTON — Looking to get back on track after a heart-in-a-blender loss Sunday, the Rockies’ lineup features a tweak. Carlos Gonzalez, his left hamstring greatly improved, is in center field with Seth Smith in left field. Brad Hawpe also returns after a day to rest his sore left quadriceps.

Gonzalez is the Rockies’ hottest hitter, and manager Jim Tracy continues to look for ways to get Smith at-bats. Dexter Fowler goes to the bench. He’s in an 0-for-11 slump, though Tracy believes his numbers are misleading because of how many hard outs he’s made.

Ubaldo Jimenez celebrates after his no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves on April 17, 2010, at Turner Field in Atlanta. The Rockies won 4-0.

ATLANTA — Bleary-eyed and smiling, Ubaldo Jimenez arrived in the clubhouse this morning. The reality of what he accomplished is beginning to set in. He talked to his dad again this morning, reveling in the details. He went for his six-mile run at 6:30 this morning.

“The alarm came early. I was tired,’’ said Jimenez, who picked up the idea of day-after runs from watching Pedro Martinez and Trevor Hoffman, among others. “It was great to talk to my dad. He was so happy going over the game with me.’’

Other fun facts:

— The Hall of Fame will get something from the night. Jimenez already turned over his entire uniform, including his cleats. “But I am keeping my glove. They aren’t getting that,” Jimenez said.

— Last night, Jorge De La Rosa, Manuel Corpas, Miguel Olivo and Rafael Betancourt took him out to dinner at the grill next to the team hotel. Betancourt paid.

— During the game, Jimenez kept trying to talk to teammates, including De La Rosa. De La Rosa didn’t want to jinx it, so he said little. His contribution? During the middle of the game, he fetched a Red Bull and an ammonia capsule for Jimenez.

— After the game, Jimenez toasted his feat with several teammates. Nothing like champagne from a paper cup.

— As the last two outs were made, Jason Giambi and Melvin Mora were in the tunnel leading to the dugout going nuts. Giambi kept punching Mora in excitement.

— Dexter Fowler’s grandparents were at the game together watching him in the pros for the first time.

— Carlos Gonzalez knew he had no chance on Troy Glaus’ seventh-inning shot. “It was either Dexter or nothing,’’ Gonzalez said.

The Rockies are playing safe with outfielders Carlos Gonzalez (hamstring) and Brad Hawpe (quadriceps). Both are listed as bench players on the lineup card, but aren’t starting.

Jim Tracy on Hawpe:
“More dealing with his left leg as he comes out of the batter’s box to run. It bit him again last night. He was very concerned if he could score from second base. He felt much better today. Would he be available off the bench? Yes. Could he run? Yes. Hawpe could go to the field, not start, but he could play.” Hawpe figures he won’t start for a couple of straight games. He admitted that he felt a lot better than expected today. That he was really worried, so it was a good feeling today.

On Carlos Gonzalez
“Is there usability, in Carlos’ case, more of an emergency-type of situation, he would have to be run for. He would need help on the bases.” Gonzalez told me he ran and took BP. His left hamstring is still not 100 percent. So he probably won’t start until Friday if I had to guess.

Footnote: Yes, Rockies manager Jim Tracy said he was going to hit one of his two catchers, Miguel Olivo or Chris Iannetta, in the six hole this season. So why has Ian Stewart moved up to the six hole?

Two reasons. First, the obvious. Stewart is off to a great start with a double, triple and two home runs in four games. Second, Tracy noticed in his stat breakdowns that left-handed hitters have been much more successful vs. Latos, who made the jump to thte majors from A ball last season, than right-handers have.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.